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Live Caricature FAQ

How many caricatures can you do in an hour?

This depends on the type of caricatures I am doing. If I am drawing Black-and-White Shaded Faces ( which is what I do 95% of the time) the speed is 12-14 faces per hour. If I am doing line drawings only ( no shading or background color) I can 20 faces per hour. I usually include the event title, date, and use a one-or-two-color background which fits your theme, school, wedding or corporate color. For Color Faces, I can generally do 8-10 per hour. If bodies are desired, they perhaps add another minute or two to each drawing. These are approximate speeds, I have been known to draw even more faces per hour than I quote! It also depends on how quickly people get in and out of my chair, their age, if they are chatty, etc.

How many people can you fit on one paper? Do they all have to sit there at once?

I can fit four (and sometimes five) faces on one sheet. It takes the same amount of time as drawing them all singly---it's always funny to me when people think it's faster to do lots of people on one sheet! They don't all have to sit at once---generally there's only one or two chairs for my subjects, and until I train my left hand to draw simultaneously with my right, I can only draw one person at a time! :-)

Do they have to sit absolutely still?

No, I generally can draw even squirmy babies if they can look in my direction for just a minute or two. That first impression is when I get the general likeness down, the rest of the time is for details and shading.

What kind of space do you need to set up?

I use a small drawing table, which is pretty compact. I ask the host to provide me with two or three chairs--one for me, and one for my subject--two if there will be many couples drawn. A small table is appreciated if possible--I can do without if necessary, but it's nice to have a place for folks to put theor drinks, etc. I also need access to an electrical outlet, for my easel lamp. If the event is outdoors, I need shade so that my subjects don't squint. And please don't seat me next to speakers or generators, so I can converse with your guests!

What size paper do you use?

I use 11" x 14" sturdy cover stock. A clear plastic bag is always provided with each caricature.

Do you offer frames or mats?

I can provide 12 x 16 personalized black mats (for a small fee per mat) if asked beforehand. I don't carry frames since they are easily available and such a personal choice.

How many hours can you draw? Do you take breaks?

I do have a two hour minimum for all events. If an event is quite far from me, I may ask for a three-hour minimum.

However, I can draw almost any amount of time. I've drawn practically non-stop for twelve hours at some festivals I've done! Most gigs are between the two-hour to five-hour range. As for breaks, I take brief ones only if necessary, as I want to draw as many of your guests as I can!

How do you deal with lines?

Generally, the best way is first-come, first-serve. Sign-in sheets generally don't work as time is wasted looking for the next person if they wander off. The beauty of live caricature is that it entertains many while they are waiting to be drawn themselves! My scheduled drawing time is posted on a sign next to me so people will know when I am finished. If I am asked to stay longer, I note that on my sign, too.

I'd like to book you for my event. What do I do now?

Once you've emailed me for availability, I send a simple contract that lists the particulars of your party--client name, contact info, date, time, event location, and anything you'd like me to keep in mind (such as whether the event is a surprise, if there is a theme, what you'd like written on each paper, any special directions, etc.). I require a nonrefundable 1/3 deposit to hold your date for you (once I receive it, I turn down all other requests for my services for your time slot. If by some circumstance, I cannot do your event, I either refund your money or send a suitable replacement-- but so far in twenty years of doing this, that's never happened :-) Then I join you on your day and start drawing!

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2019 Caricature Reviews

Great addition to our event! Everyone at our holiday office party loved this idea! Emily was busy from the moment she walked in the door and even stayed a bit late to finish up her last person! Everyone in the office is still talking about this today and we hope to do this again in the future. Thank you Emily! Client, corporate holiday party, Dec 2018
Emily did an excellent job at our event. She was prompt, helpful, easygoing, and is obviously ultra-talented. Our guys were thrilled with the caricatures she completed. Thank you for coming to our event and on such short notice! We'll be sure to book her well in advance for our next event. She's worth it! Client, company picnic, November 2018
Emily was fantastic!! She was super accommodating and had brought everything she needed with her including her own light, something that other artists we’ve had in the past hadn’t done. All of our guests were super impressed and we heard over and over that it was the best caricature they had ever had done! We highly recommend her! Client, Halloween party, 2018
We hired Emily for my son’s 6th birthday party and she was such a big hit!! She was so great with all the kids, had such patience and made them all laugh. Her caricatures were awesome; we already framed them. Emily made my sons party one for the books and I can’t thank her enough! We had a small(10 people) get together for a 40th and Emily was there to help make it memorable. Watching her quickly line smiles and eyes within 2 minutes was incredible. She drew the puppies too. Currently framing mine because it’s that good!! I’ll definitely be recommending Emily to friends for that extra touch to a party. Client, 6th birthday party, August 2018
Emily was excellent! She arrived early, and didn’t even want to take a break to get a bite to eat to make sure she didn’t miss anyone! The team loved having her here for our corporate event. Client, Corporate banquet, October 2018
Emily did a wonderful job. We will definitely have her again for future parties. The drawings were great and she is very personable. I wish we could have been able to book her longer.
This is our second event with Emily and she is PHENOMENAL! Everyone at our events loves her...she has been engrafted in our family. Her ability to capture and draw the likeness of her subject is matchless! I urge you to hire her for your events, you will not be disappointed. Client, member appreciation event, 2018
Emily was fantastic and made the graduation celebration a huge success with her talent!!!! Client, grad party, June 2018
Would very highly recommend Emily Byrne! We used Emily for caricature drawings at our Boardwalk-themed After Prom event and the kids loved them! Very professional and a fun person. I would absolutely use Emily again for future events! After Prom committee-person, After Prom, April 2018
Emily is the best! This was our 2nd time working with her for an event. She is extremely talented and a joy to work with. The Volunteers appreciate her skills and love waiting in line for her to draw them. Thank you! Event coordinator, Hospital Volunteers Luncheon, April 2018
Emily is a skilled artist. She has a great attitude and worked really hard to provide fantastic likenesses of all our guests. She was willing to work with us on everything we requested and everyone enjoyed her work. Many people watched as she worked and were amazed. I would recommend Emily for any event and for anyone who enjoys Caricatures. She works fast and was able to pump out an amazing number of drawings in a short amount of time. Thank you Emily! Groom, Wedding Reception, April 2018
We booked Emily for our Take Your Child to Work Day. She was absolutely phenomenal! She was wonderful with the kids. Her drawings are comical and fun, while not being offensive. Her timing estimates were spot on! She was incredibly accommodating and stayed a little longer than the booked time to do some extra portraits. She even used company colors to accent the photos, as well as writing the event title on each picture. She was so friendly, kind, and had a smile on her face the entire event. I would absolutely book her again and will recommend her to anyone looking for a caricaturist in the future. You will be doing a great service to your event by booking Emily! HR Coordinator, corporate event, April 2018
Emily was GREAT!!!! We've adopted her to our event, and will be booking her for our future events...so will our friends and family! All thumbs up. Daughter, Mom's 65th Birthday Party, March 2018